The University of Reading has been accused of wasting taxpayers’ money after opting to appeal failed plans to build a mini-town in Shinfield.

Planning bosses at Wokingham Borough Council last Wednesday took less than an hour to throw out three applications from the university proposing the development of 1,350 homes on land it owns in the village.

Members of the planning committee also unanimously threw out separate applications from the university to build an eastern relief road around the village and create an area of natural green space in Hyde End Road.

But the university has already passed on its plans to an independent Government planning inspector prior to the meeting.

University bosses evoked an appeal clause on the grounds of non-determination, as the council failed to formally determine the applications received in July 2010.

For the purpose of the planning process, the council has to make a formal decision on each application to establish a case for the appeal, which is to be heard in October.

Committee member Councillor Chris Singleton said he would not support proposals which could have an “enormous” impact on Shinfield and its 4,000 residents.

It was also considered the applicant had failed to adequately address possible flood risk, while it was felt the application for the relief road was unsatisfactory.

The application for the Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) was refused for reasons relating to long-term management and flooding concerns.

Defending the blueprints, Ian Tant, the agent representing the university, explained how the university had not intended the application process to “be a battle between two highly-important institutions in the area”.

He argued the applications meet the council’s housing requirements in Shinfield, adding the two parties “ought to be working together” to get the plans right.

But Cllr Simon Weeks, chairman of the planning committee, said: “The university has submitted something which does appear to be premature.

“We do have an adopted Core Strategy and we do have an infrastructure plan and we do have draft masterplans – and we have done all these things for a reason.

“We now face a public inquiry in October that will cost Wokingham Borough Council several hundred thousand pounds to defend.”

Although the proposals are submitted in line with the council’s core strategy document, planning officers believe the plans are contrary to policies and guidelines.

The core strategy sets out where 13,230 new homes are to be built across the borough by 2026, of which 2,500 are planned for Shinfield and south of the M4.

The blueprints earmark around 750 homes for this particular site, but the university is proposing almost double this number.

Mr Tant explained how the university had “no other option” but to appeal the three applications.

He said: “The university feels strongly that the plans it has brought forward take care to meet Wokingham’s requirements and is disappointed that a planning appeal has become necessary.

“However, we are confident that, working with the council’s officers, we can significantly reduce the areas of difference in advance of the inquiry in order to keep these proceedings as focused as possible. We have made an offer to the council to that effect.”